Balloon Sinusplasty for Sinus Infection Treatment

Balloon Sinuplasty can and will help those with Chronic Sinusitis caused by narrow sinus passages.

A recent article by Leslie Toldo explains why this is so. Excerpts of the article are as follows:

A new procedure recently approved by the FDA can clear the sinuses of both children and adults and have them on their feet the next day.

Sinus surgery can be hard on grownups, and even harder on children. So, this new procedure -- with less down time and pain than traditional sinus surgery -- may be a more kid-friendly solution.

For Andre Martinez, homework isn't a bore. It's the challenge that makes it fun every time. But for years, Andre was the puzzle. He suffered from severe headaches that sometimes landed him in the emergency room.

"I just had to like take some Tylenol and go to my room, shut the windows, close the door, and just bury my head under the pillow," he explained.

Trips to the pediatrician, neurologist and allergist offered no solutions. Finally, the answer came from an ear, nose and throat doctor. Andre's headaches were caused by sinus infections, which were worsened by his very small sinus openings.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases estimates 37 million Americans are affected by sinus infections -- or sinusitis -- every year. This adds up to $5.8 billion spent each year on health care costs related to the condition. Sinusitis takes place when the cavities around the nasal passages, or sinuses, become inflamed and swollen, tracking mucus and causing infection.

Since the sinuses aren't fully developed until the age of 20, sinusitis is more difficult to diagnose in children. In addition, children are more prone to sinus infections in the first few years of life since their immune systems are immature. If a child remains ill beyond the usual week to 10 days of a cold, a serious sinus infection is likely the cause of the symptoms.

Because antibiotics didn't work, Andre needed surgery. Surgeons used a new scalpel-free procedure to open up Andre's sinuses. Balloon sinuplasty involves inserting a tiny balloon through a catheter into the sinus cavity. That balloon is inflated to open up the passageway and then deflated and removed. Many patients can resume normal activities 24 hours after the surgery.

Eight months after surgery, Andre says he is enjoying a migraine-free life. The procedure is for children who have chronic sinus disease or problems. The condition is often caused by the common cold, but other triggers include allergies and fungal infections.

The Mayo Clinic says if a sinus infection persists for more than eight weeks or is recurrent, it is considered a case of chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis can also stem from growths in the sinuses called nasal polyps or a deviated septum, which is the partition between the two sides of the nose.

Risks of the procedure include brain fluid leakage and visual changes and infection -- the same as standard sinus surgery.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery says parents should look out for the following signs of sinusitis:

" A long-lasting cold accompanied by a low-grade fever

" Thick, yellow-green nasal drainage

" A post-nasal drip that causes sore throat, a cough, bad breath, nausea and/or vomiting

" A headache (a symptom in children age 6 and older)

" Irritability or fatigue

" Swelling around the eyes

The following articles may also be helpful in understanding sinus infection:

1. Sinus Infection in children

2. Are sinus infections contagious?

3. Eustachian tube dysfunction

4. Home remedies for sinus infection

5. Nasal irrigation

For more resources, please visit Sinus Infection Help.